One of the most complete remaining
examples of underground or cave living is the
Troglodyte village
of Rochemenier
which is in the commune
of Louresse-Rochemenier
6 km NW of
Doue-la-Fontaine, just of the D761. Part
of the troglodyte village has been retained as a museum to a way of
life that was still in existence in the 1930’s. You are presented
with a plan which leads you through the twenty rooms of the village
consisting of two ancient farms with out-buildings and houses plus a spectacular
underground chapel carved out of the
rock.

As you reflect on how it must have been to live in these small
dwellings you are shown a modernised
room that you could survive relatively comfortably in today. The
impression given however is that the village’s inhabitants must have
been really ‘close’ to have lived in such a tight knit community.

This
is a good place to take children as apart from the historical
interest they’ll love exploring the caves --- oh and by the
way—“MIND YOUR HEAD!”